Mysteries of Analog Photography

[MaximusM3]

As I am about to embark on another sleepless journey, these are some of the unanswered questions that keep me up at night

1)Why does the dye in Tri-X sometimes washes off when dumping developer, sometimes with fixer and at other times, seemingly just to puzzle me further, with hypo clear..or even the final wash? WHY?

2) Why do my stainless steel tanks leak fixer but not developer, or water, when agitating? WHY?

3) Why do some photographers keep on insisting that a boring beach scene at noon on a beautiful sunny day is a high contrast scene when EV values on a spot meter fall on 17 for sand, 16 for sky and 15 for water? WHY?

Now please don't take any of this too seriously

Goodnight,

Max

 

[MattKing]

In reverse order:

3) because the light is directional and harsh, and therefore the micro-contrast is high. The EV readings listed do not reveal contrast, they reveal brightness range, and the measurements don't include a measurement for the tiny bits of shade that would be hard to find;

2) because fixer gives off a bit of gas as it operates, and that gas loosens the seal;

1) now that is a true mystery

Have a good sleep!

EDIT: Upon further thought, I've replaced "shadowless" with the more appropriate "directional"

 

[tomalophicon]

you don't have any shadows on your beaches? Please, tell me where, I'm freezing!!

 

[Mustafa Umut Sarac]

There are many problems keep me awake 40 hours and got me up after 7 hours sleep , its summer and Leica time , excellent greens , evening light , wait the light comes again and go out and take some shots and try to find more serious whys in your life.

 

[Mustafa Umut Sarac]

I prefer freezing to damn hot weather . Tom , are you from Scotland or Australia ? Drink some whiskey.

 

[tomalophicon]

Mustafa, Australia, but I can't drink whiskey at work unfortunately.

 

[Christopher Walrath]

Because. Cuz. And Just cuz.

 

[trexx]

1)Why does the dye in Tri-X sometimes washes off when dumping developer, sometimes with fixer and at other times, seemingly just to puzzle me further, with hypo clear..or even the final wash? WHY?

I think that the washing out of the dye is very sensitive to pH. That it washes out best over a narrow range of natural to alkaline. If the target pH is hit it comes right off. If not it takes a lot of washing.

 

[tomalophicon]

I leave my Tri x in the sun and it clears quickly.

 

[Joe O'Brien]

I once had tri-x coating wash off in during the rinse... Of my close in the laundry! I forgot and left a role in my jeans as the went through!

 

[tomalophicon]

Haha that's funny. I hope it wasn't any monumental loss for you!